The course our city runs is the same towards men and money.
She has true and worthy sons.
She has fine new gold and ancient silver,
Coins untouched with alloys, gold and silver,
Each well minted, tested each and ringing clear.
Yet we never use them!
Others pass from hand to hand,
Sorry brass just struck last week and branded with wretched brand.
So with men we know for upright, blameless lives and noble names.
These we spurn for men of brass." Aristophanes 405 B.C.